Aaron-Wooi Yik counting on fan power for final push [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik hope to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei when they play in the Malaysia Open final tomorrow.

Chong Wei was the last local to win Malaysia's Super 1000 home tournament. That was eight years ago, and since then, there has been no Malaysian success.

World No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik downed Indonesia's world No. 6 Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri 23-21, 21-18 in the semi-finals in 51 minutes at the Axiata Arena today.

In the men's doubles itself, former world champions Aaron-Wooi Yik will also be attempting to end an even longer wait, that is 14 years, since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah's triumph in 2014. No local men's pair have reached the final since then.

For Aaron-Wooi Yik, it was their second final at the Axiata Arena after losing to compatriots and world No. 5 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun in the Malaysia Masters final last year.

|We are definitely happy as this is the second time we've entered a final on our home ground after the Malaysia Masters. It's indeed an achievement, but there is one more step to go tomorrow," said Aaron.

The final promises to be a cracking affair as South Korea's world No. 1 Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae look lethal even as Aaron-Wooi Yik attempt to win their first crown at home on Sunday.

Defending champions Won Ho-Seung Jae came from behind to beat England's world No. 16 Ben Lane-Sean Vendy 8-21, 21-11, 21-18 in the semi-final in 58 minutes today.

The world champions won a record 11 international titles last year, but they are tied 1-1 in head-to-head against Aaron-Wooi Yik.

Despite their rivals' fiery run, Aaron hopes the fans will tilt the final in their favour.

"We haven't played against them in a long time. They were on fire last year, but this is the first tournament of the year," added Aaron.

"I view the final as 50-50, but we have a little advantage playing on our home ground. I think the fans are doing a really great job supporting the Malaysian team."

Wooi Yik said: "I think Malaysian expectation is high, but we're used to it and we will just enjoy and give our best in every match."

The pressure was evident today as Fajar-Shohibul, who came into the match with a 2-1 head-to-head lead, started applying pressure on Aaron-Wooi Yik in the second game to lead 14-11 before they turned the tide.

"I think I just kept calm. There was draught in the court, so I feel we just have to be clear with our thinking," added Wooi Yik.

"We weren't too nervous or excited. Even if we won a point, we didn't overreact and just maintained our rhythm. That's the key today."

Aaron-Wooi Yik are chasing their first Super 1000 title, and it could just happen in front of their home fans tomorrow.

RESULTS

Semi-finals

Malaysians unless stated

Men's singles: Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) bt Jonatan Christie (Ina) 21-16, 21-16; Shi Yu Qi (Chn) bt Anders Antonsen (Den) 21-13, 21-14.

Doubles: Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae (Kor) bt Ben Lane-Sean Vendy (Eng) 8-21, 21-11, 21-18; Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bt Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (Ina) 23-21, 21-18.

Women's singles: Wang Zhi Yi (Chn) bt P. V. Sindhu (Ind) 21-16, 21-15; An Se Young (Kor) bt Chen Yu Fei (Chn) w.o.

Doubles: Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee (Kor) bt Yuki Fukushima-Mayu Matsumoto (Jpn) 21-16, 21-12; Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning (Chn) bt Jeong Na Eun-Lee Yeon Woo (Kor) 21-8, 21-17.

Mixed doubles: Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping (Chn) bt Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (HK) 21-14, 21-14; Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin (Chn) bt Jesper Toft-Amalie Magelund (Den) 21-15, 21-14.